TYPES OF HAMMOCKS 

In the Land of Hammocks; basically there a 2 styles of hammocks. The original, Mayan Style and the altered, North American Style.

The Mayan or String Style is one of the originals and dates back over 1000 years. It is width-gathered at each length-end, bound in some decorative manner/design, secured to trees, (2-point hammock) or now on a stand, and the ingenious web-like knotted-cords or fabric design completely surrounds the person occupying the hammock; not only at their shoulders but their hips and legs as well. This unique design of the hammock totally conforms to the individuals body shape and offers absolutely the utmost in comfort. Still resembling the original fishing-net pattern and the quick-tree-wrap-a-round style from the Mayan Culture. This ‘string style’ permits maximum ventilation for the occupant without sacrificing comfort; common with fabric or rope styles which can/may provide  unpleasant waffle-shaped-side-effects.

The North American Style (also called The Spreader-Bar-Hammock  or The Pawley or The Pawley’s Island Hammock) is similar yet totally different. It is width-retained by means of the end cords pulled through pre-drilled holes in a piece of wood (or aluminum) at each end, called a ‘spreader-bar’; design knotted again to a certain pattern, then the cords are gathered at each end, bound in some manner/design, secured to trees or onto a stand. This spreader-bar was introduced to the new Americans after the new settlers were finding the hammocks too confining and needed the same kind of a space saving bed having the same basic characteristics but providing more stretch room plus the ability to react to a night prowler or any form of non-invited guest to the settling pioneer; a comfortable lay-on-top-openness to the hammock for the occupying person was introduced.

Though there are truly only 2 styles of hammocks; there is a fair number of alternative design styles which have been likewise named accordingly; BUT if one would look at the main difference(s), there are only 2 styles. The particular hammock may be with a different style stand; metal or wood; single or double base-frame or the hammock is made of a certain fabric or cord material BUT again there are 2 basic styles of hammocks. The individual hammock may be suspended/supported by a 2-point harness, one support at each end of the hammock, a  3-point harness, one at one end and two at the other end. This provides a much more sturdy and stable hammock with less sway action; or a 4-point harness which has two harnesses at each end. This design is the most sturdy and the most stable with much, much less sway-action; if any at all.